Coronavirus In Brookline: Town Releases Demographic Data

Brookline MA

27 April, 2020

9:51 AM

Description

BROOKLINE, MA —The town has begun to release demographics related to those who have tested positive for the new coronavirus, including the increase of cases over time, the ages and ethnicity of those who are confirmed to have contracted the virus. As of Friday, April 24, 237 people had tested positive for the virus, which causes the illness known as COVID-19. At least 18 people had died, according to town data. People of all ages have tested positive for the virus, and it has spread among those between the ages of 20 and 69 rather evenly in Brookline. However, the highest number of positive cases are among those who are between 70 and 89 in town. Town of BrooklineWhen it comes to ethnicity or race, Brookline, those infected seem to generally reflect the demographics in town, Public Health Director Dr. Swanni Jett told the Brookline Select Board last week — unlike in other municipalities, such as Boston where black or African American communities have been hit especially hard. According to Brookline's Public Health Department officials, as of Friday, 84 percent of the total cases in town have known race or ethnicity data attached to them. Of those, 68 percent or -128 people who tested positive - indicated they were white or Caucasian, 21 - or 12 percent - of those who tested positive are Asian, 15 -or 8 percent - of those who tested positive are black or African American, 8 - or 4 percent - are Latino or Hispanic, and 17 -or 10 percent - indicated their race or ethnicity as "other." According to a 2019 census estimate, Brookline is about 74 percent white, 16 percent Asian, 7.8 percent Hispanic or Latino and 3.2 percent black or African American. The census estimated that nearly 16 percent of the population was older than 65. Town of BrooklineREAD MORE: Brookline Coronavirus: 16 Deaths At Senior Care Facilities MA Hospitals: Our Doors Are Open For Non-Coronavirus Cases Brookline Library, The Makery Help Make PPE Amid Coronavirus In Brookline Dozens Test Positive For Coronavirus At 2 Faciilities